British 16th Light Dragoons - American Revolutionary War

  

The regiment was raised as the second of the new regiments of light dragoons in 1759, as the 16th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons, also known as Burgoyne’s (yes, that Burgoyne, then a Colonel) Light Horse. In 1766 they were renamed after Queen Charlotte as the 2nd (or The Queen’s) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons, the number being an attempt to create a new numbering system for the light dragoon regiments. However, the old system was quickly reestablished, with the regiment returning as the 16th (The Queen’s) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons in 1769. It saw action during the 7 Years War, supporting Britain's ally, Portugal. 

The 16th Light Dragoons arrived in New York in September, 1776. They were involved in fighting at White Plains (1776) Brandywine (1777), Paoli (1777), Germantown (1777) and Monmouth Court House (1778). 

By December, 1778, the regiment was so depleted that the remaining men were drafted into the 16th Light Dragoons, and the officers returned to Britain to recruit. 

The regiment originally had black facings, but changed to dark blue with the change to the "Queen's" title.  In 1784, the regiment changed to Dark blue jackets along with the rest of the British Light Dragoons, in their case with scarlet facings. During the Napoleonic Wars, it fought at Talavera, Ciudad Rodrigo, Bussaco, Sabugal, Salamanca, Burgos, Vittoria, San Sabastian Nive, and Waterloo!

The unit was converted to the 16th Lancers in 1816, wearing a dark blue Lancer uniform until 1832, when a scarlet coatee was authorized for service in India. When the unit returned to England in 1846, it petitioned to retain the scarlet uniform when all the other Lancer regiments were ordered to return to dark blue; it thus  was unique in wearing a scarlet uniform (faced dark blue) until 1914!